This is a topic that I'm a little unsure of. I have seen many threads regarding scholarship negotiation as it relates to scholarship offers from other schools... In other words, using other offers as negotiation, etc. However, I'm not sure what other factors, if any, contribute to a school considering a person for additional $$$. I realize that any special circumstances should have probably been addressed in the initial application. But, I'm wondering if anyone has had any success in pleading their case using factors not addressed in the application that were not related to funds offered by other schools. In other words, phrasing a scholarship negotiation in the format of a diversity statement... single mom... worked my way through school... that type of thing. Does this have any effect, or should I have stressed this more in the initial app.

Additionally, when a school says that they will consider scholarships offered from a "peer school," how much of a distance in ranking are we talking about??

The main reason that scholly negotiation works is that schools want to keep up their yield percentage. Once they admit you, it's in their best interest for you to matriculate. Thus, threatening to go to another school (that is giving you more money) is a compelling reason for them to sweeten your deal.

If you really want to go to a school that's already admitted you or have already committed, sending information about other factors isn't likely to help much unless you happen to hit a soft spot in their hearts (or qualify for a specific scholarship).